Favignana's incredible turquoise waters

guana, kangaroo, penguin, and wildcat are just some of the species you can holiday with at Parco Orsa Maggiore, a unique residential park built into the disused tufa quarries that are characteristic of Favignana island. Just 200 metres from the striking Bue Marino with its incredible shades of blue and a little further from the renowned bay of Cala Rossa, the residence boasts two large swimming pools in addition to its small but remarkable zoo.

Outdoors: Spread out over acres of land on the East coast of Favignana the pine trees that pervade the lower level of Orsa Maggiore provide plenty of shade. The detached or semi-detached bungalows are located on the grassy, flat upper level or set upon stacks of rock, with a maze of paths leading down to the luxuriant foliage on the quarry floor.

Apartments built up on stacks of rock

Wander happily for hours along the mosaic-tiled paths, happening upon an extraordinary array of animals. While it seems that there is neither rhyme nor reason to this collection of animals and birds, there are in fact themes in different areas of the park. Also found in the lower realms of the cave-like quarries are picturesque communal spaces fully equipped for barbecuing and grilling al fresco meals together with new-found friends. Alternatively, each villetta is equipped with its own barbecue, where you can grill the catch of the day that you purchase directly from the local fisherman at the port. There is also a large communal TV room decorated with photos of the park and island, and in May the famous Favignana mattanza is screened here.

One of the two large pools

A waterfall draws you down from the sunny upper level of the park to the enticing main pool area (usually open from mid-May) that has music by day and where you can enjoy aqua-aerobics and aqua-gymnastics. The second pool (open from mid-June) is even larger than the first, and is set 20 metres below sea-level and out of earshot from the accommodation to allow night swimming accompanied by music. An underground passage from the larger pool leads to a disco area that is also sufficiently removed from the bungalows to ensure a good night’s sleep for those who want one. Both are salt water pools.

This is truly a peaceful location where both the local fauna and more exotic additions can be appreciated side-by-side. The animals are well cared for and have plenty of thoughtfully appointed space in which to live. Children can build relationships with some of the tamer animals by participating in feeding time.

Tunnels of tufa

The quarries in which the park is situated are characteristic of the eastern end of Favignana, where tufa - a type of sandstone - has been excavated for use in local building or for export to Northern Africa. The resulting cubist quarries with their sheer hand-worked walls make for a surreal landscape that is complemented by the bizarre collection of creatures found in Orsa Maggiore.

A typical bedroom

Indoors: The 24 apartments at Orsa Maggiore are moulded into the unique landscape of the park, and hence come in all shapes and sizes. The simple interiors are comfortable and have well-equipped kitchens, which, in the larger apartments, are separate rooms. Bedrooms have either double or twin beds and have free-standing fans for use in hotter weather.

Apartments have one or two bedrooms, with the largest apartments accommodating up to seven guests. Each apartment has its own patio or terrace equipped with outdoor furniture. Many apartments also have a solarium featuring a sea view, usually towards the Sicilian mainland. Larger apartments feature an in-built barbecue while smaller ones have portable barbecues.

Surrounding area: Favignana town can be easily reached by car or by bike, and is even within walking distance provided you are prepared to walk for over half an hour and carry a torch in the evenings. A bus service also runs to the town centre. At night, activity centres on the town’s two lively squares, each lined with bars and restaurants and containing a mix of tourists, local residents and children happily running about. By day, the streets leading off the squares provide a variety of gelaterias, shops including mini-markets and bicycle hire.

The waters of Bue Marino

Nearer to Orsa Maggiore is the spectacular coastline facing mainland Sicily. Bue Marino (200m) has spectacular geological formations and beautiful pitches of blue sea, while the exotic Cala Azzurra, a 15 minute bike ride away, offers a sandy beach.

Cala Rossa is also very close to the residential park and is a very special place to swim. Steps through tufa quarries lead down to a shelf of flat rock that inclines into blue waters that teem with colourful fish. Cala Rossa gained its name through unpleasant circumstances, when a sea battle won by the Romans in 241BC resulted in so many dead Phoenician soldiers that these waters were said to have turned red. Because they face opposite directions, either Cala Rossa or Bue Marino will always be sheltered from the winds. The southern edge of the island can easily be reached by bicycle, also in about 15 minutes, and feature the long sandy Lido Burrone beach with tourist amenities as well as some smaller coves.

Lido Burrone beach

Excursions to the other Egadi Islands, Levanzo and Marettimo, make a great day out and are easily reached by ferry from Favignana port, as is Trapani on the mainland.

Sightseeing: Levanzo. Marettimo. Trapani. Marsala. Segesta. Erice.

Italian Islands Insight: Orsa Maggiore offers a holiday experience so unique it borders on the surreal. The cubic quarries complement the unusual collection of species by providing a cool micro-climate with a canopy of pines and a carpet of their needles.

Pelicans perch

The mother and son who run the park are extremely attentive to the needs of their guests and enthusiastically take new ideas on board – hence a nocturnal lightshow in one of the pools, watersports, a volleyball & boules court and special communal dinners featuring the local couscous inside the tufa caves. Guests may also have the opportunity to taste some Favignana specialities.

Pink flamingos too

Less eccentric and more practical services that the owners can provide include the delivery of shopping, transfers from the airport and a babysitting service. They will also assist in the hiring of vehicles (cars, bicycles and scooters), arrange excursions to the mainland of Sicily or arrange a boat trip around the island, stopping in coves that cannot be reached on foot and cooking up any fish caught during the trip.

Favignana port

Although the interior of the park is well sign-posted, a map has deliberately not been provided so that visitors can randomly explore. Above all, the owners are keen to ensure that their guests enjoy a memorable and special, but nonetheless relaxing, stay in their residence. As well as enjoying the play area, young children are guaranteed to come across species of birds and animals that they have never seen before, while elder children will appreciate the freedom to roam within the confines of the park. Families who visit Orsa Maggiore will enjoy a vast choice of activities, sights and creatures that will keep them amused and entertained for the duration of their stay. Add to this the incredible colours of the Favignana coastline and the other beautiful and unspoilt Egadi islands nearby and you have the makings of a truly special holiday.

Sunk deep in an old tufa quarry

Night swimming with music